Dwarf nectarine tree

ABSTRACT

A genetically dwarf nectarine tree which is of comparatively medium size, medium vigor, spreading, dense, foliated with large to medium size, lanceolate leaves having a crenate margin, flowering mid-season with large flowers, and a productive and regular bearer of early ripening, medium size, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruit having yellow skin substantially overspread with red, and yellow flesh.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Over a substantial number of years I have engaged in an extensive andcontinuing plant breeding program at my experimental nursery and orchardlocated near Le Grand, Merced County, Calif.; one purpose of suchprogram being to provide improved varieties of fruit trees. The presentvariety of dwarf nectarine tree resulted from my endeavors in theconduct of such plant breeding program.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of genetically dwarf nectarine tree was originatedby me, in my experimental nursery and orchard located as aforesaid, asan open-pollinated dwarf seedling from an unnamed tall or full-sizenectarine tree which was selected from the F₁ progeny of a cross ofGolden Prolific nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,193) as the seedparent, with the May Grand nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794) as thepollen parent. The variety, as thus originated, and under careful andcontinuing observation, evidenced -- upon bearing fruit -- certain novelcharacteristics which were commercially desirable, and I, therefore,undertook asexual reproduction of the variety preparatory to introducingit to the trade.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Subsequent to origination and selection by me of the present variety ofnectarine tree, in the manner above described, I asexually reproduced itby top-working on mature trees in my said experimental orchard, and --in maturity -- such reproductions ran true to the original tree in allrespects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The herein claimed new and distinct variety of genetically dwarfnectarine tree is of comparatively medium size, medium vigor, spreading,dense, foliated with large to medium size, lanceolate leaves having acrenate margin, flowering mid-season with large flowers, and aproductive and regular bearer of early ripening, medium size,symmetrical, globose, freestone fruit having yellow skin substantiallyoverspread with red, and yellow flesh; the variety being characterizedby fruit which ripens about 2 weeks earlier than the Golden Prolificnectarine, and which fruit has a red exterior color brighter than saidGolden Prolific nectarine and resembling the May Grand nectarine in suchrespect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color,of leaves and fruit of the variety; one of the fruit being cut intohalves to expose the flesh, with the stone remaining in one such half.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of dwarfnectarine tree -- with color definitions (except those in common colorterms) referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color -- are asfollows:

Tree:

Class.--Genetically dwarf.

Size.--Medium, as compared with other dwarf nectarine trees.

Vigor.--Medium.

Growth.--Spreading.

Density.--Dense.

Production.--Productive.

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Leaves:

Size.--Large to medium; average length -- 61/4"; average width -- 1".

Form.--Lanceolate.

Margin.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Medium length -- average 3/4" ; thick.

Glands.--Number and position -- usually 2 to 3 on petiole and 2 onblade; alternate; reniform.

Color.--Top side -- Medium green (22-L-8); under side -- Lighter green(21-L-7).

Flower buds:

Size.--Large.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--mid-season; medium, as compared with other varieties.

Size.--Large.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Eating ripe -- June 25th, 1976.

Date of first picking.--June 15th, 1976.

Date of last picking.--June 25th, 1976.

Size.--Medium; uniform; average diameter axially -- 21/8"; averagetransversely in suture plane -- 23/8".

Form.--Uniform; symmetrical; globose.

Suture.--Shallow; an inconspicuous line.

Ventral Surface.--Rounded strongly.

Cavity.--Circular; average depth -- 1/4"; average breadth -- 3/8".

Base.--Rounded.

Apex.--Short; depressed.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tendency to crack.--None noted.

Down.--Wanting.

Color.--Yellow (9-L-4) substantially overspread with red (6-L-5) shadingdarker to 7-L-5, with many yellow flecks.

Flesh:

Juice.--Abundant; rich.

Texture.--Firm; crisp; melting.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Subacid; delicate.

Eating quality.--Good.

Color.--Yellow (9-L-5).

surface of pit cavity.--Yellow.

Stone:

Type.--Free.

Size.--Medium; average length -- 11/8"; average breadth -- 1"; averagethickness -- 5/8".

Form.--Oblong.

Base.--Straight.

Apex.--Rounded.

Sides.--Equal.

Pits.--Elongated.

Ventral edge.--Thick.

Dorsal edge.--Full, with broad groove.

Tendency to split.--None noted.

Color.--Beige (12-I-7).

Use: Market -- local. Dessert. Culinary. Canning.

Keeping quality: Good.

Resistance to insects and diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Shipping quality: Good.

The dwarf nectarine tree and its fruit herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic and soil conditions under which thevariety may be grown; the present description being of the variety asgrown in the Central Valley of California.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of genetically dwarf nectarinetree, substantially as shown and described, which is of comparativelymedium size, medium vigor, spreading, dense, foliated with large tomedium size, lanceolate leaves having a crenate margin, floweringmid-season with large flowers, and a productive and regular bearer ofearly ripening, medium size, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruithaving yellow skin substantially overspread with red, and yellow flesh;the variety being characterized by fruit which ripens about two weeksearlier than the Golden Prolific nectarine, and which fruit has a redexterior color brighter than said Golden Prolific nectarine andresembling the May Grand nectarine in such respect.